Addressing the Opioid Epidemic Presented by: [Name

The Facts Drug overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States. 1
From 2017 to 2022, more than 500,000 people have died from a drug overdose.
Around 68% of 107,941 drug overdose deaths in 2022 involved an opioid.
In 2022, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and illegal opioids like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl) was almost 3 times higher than in 2017.
Drug overdose death has become the leading cause of injury death in the US (incidence higher than deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents)
On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. 4 Wide-ranging online data for epidemiologic research (WONDER). Atlanta, GA: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics; 2017. Available at http://wonder.cdc.gov.
Drug Overdose Death Rates. National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institutes of Health. Available at: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates#:~:text=Opioid%2Dinvolved%20overdose%20deaths%20rose,(Source%3A%20CDC%20WONDER).<br>

New Jersey State Specific Statistics In 2022, there were 107,941 drug overdose deaths reported. Among these, 73,838 involved opioids.1

Opioid-involved overdose deaths rose from 49,860 in 2019 to 81,806 in 2022.1



Essex, Atlantic, and Camden are the three counties with the highest number of reported cases.2 5 Figure 1. National Drug Overdose Deaths, Number Among All Ages, by Sex 1999-2022. Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Advancing Addiction Science. National Institutes of Health 2022. May 2024.
Department of Human Services. New Jersey Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Substance Abuse Overview 2022. Trenton, New Jersey. May 2024.<br>

Drugs of abuse Marijuana
Alcohol
Opioids
Methamphetamine
MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
Cocaine
Inhalants
Steroids
Tobacco/Nicotine 6 1. Commonly Abused Drugs Charts." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). N.p., 01 Jan. 2016. Web. 26 Jan. 2017. Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs-charts<br>

1. NIDA (2021). Nationwide Trends. Retrieved May 27, 2022. from https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/budget-information/fiscal-year-2024-budget-information-congressional-justification-national-institute-drug-abuse/ic-fact-sheet-2024 7<br>

Prescription drug abuse Current trend
Increased number of pain medications being prescribed
Greater social acceptance of using medications for different purposes
Risks include misuse, abuse, addiction, and overdose
One in every four chronic users of prescription opioids for non-cancer pain in primary care settings are affected by addiction
Over 1,000 people are treated in the emergency department everyday for misusing prescription opioids 8 1. "Prescription Opioid Overdose Data." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Dec. 2016. Web. 26 Jan. 2017.<br>

FENTANYL abuse 9 Increases in synthetic opioid-involved deaths are being driven by increases in fentanyl-involved overdose deaths
It is a Schedule II prescription medication that is easily made illicitly
Commonly used to lace other drugs (oxycodone, stimulants, etc.)
Anything can have fentanyl when not bought through a regulated process
Can be found in various forms, including pills
About 49% of fentanyl intercepted by law enforcement in 2023 came in pill form compared to 10% in 2017 1. “Seizures of illicit fentanyl pills have surged.” Axios. 13 May, 2024. Accessed 10 June, 2024.<br>

FENTANYL ABUSE Fentanyl seizures increased 1,700% in the U.S. from 2017 to 2023
Takes a very small amount of fentanyl to lead to death
DEA has found counterfeit pills ranging from 0.02 to 5.1 milligrams (more than 2x lethal dose) of fentanyl per tablet
42% of pills tested for fentanyl contain at least 2mg of fentanyl
Drug trafficking organizations typically distribute fentanyl by kilogram (kg).
1 kg = potential to kill 500,000 people
Fentanyl test strips (FTS)
Strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs in various drug forms 10 “Seizures of illicit fentanyl pills have surged.” Axios. 13 May, 2024. Accessed 10 June, 2024
.”What You Can Do to Test for Fentanyl.” CDC. 2 April, 2024. Accessed 10 June, 2024.<br>

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Acute vs. Chronic consequences of opioid use Acute
Drowsiness & sedation
Decreased breathing
Withdrawal
Blood borne diseases through needle use
Overdose Chronic
Tolerance
Physical and psychological dependence
Inability to maintain interpersonal relationship
Inability to maintain normal performance at work 12 1. Kosten, T. R., & George, T. P. (2002). The Neurobiology of Opioid Dependence: Implications for Treatment. Science & Practice Perspectives, 1(1), 13–20.<br>

Recognize opioid dependence Declined performance at work, home, or school
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Changes in eating or sleeping habits
Increased aggression or irritability
Sudden change in social network
Constantly feeling tired and sleepy
Deteriorating relationships with family members and friends 13 1. "Opiate Abuse." DrugAbuse.com. N.p., 13 Aug. 2016. Web. 26 Jan. 2017. Available at: http://drugabuse.com/library/opiate-abuse/#signs-and-symptoms
2. NIDA. "What to Do If Your Adult Friend or Loved One Has a Problem with Drugs." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). N.p., 19 Jan. 2016. Web. 26 Jan. 2017.Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/treatment/what-to-do-if-your-adult-friend-or-loved-one-has-problem-drugs<br>

Economic burden of opioid abuse Nonmedical use of opioid pain relievers cost insurance companies up to $75.5 billion annually in health-care cost

Social & economical consequences
Cost of prevention and treatment
Increased incidences of opioid overdose deaths
Safety risk to the public due to drug affected driving
Environmental contamination due to inappropriate disposal and illicit cultivation
Loss of productivity at work
Neonatal abstinence syndrome 14 State and Substate Estimates of Nonmedical Use of Prescription Pain Relievers. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). July 2017. Accessed May 2024. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_3187/ShortReport3187.html#:~:text=Prescription%20pain%20reliever%20overdoses%20have%20resulted%20in%20nearly%2015%2C000%20deaths%20since%202008.&text=Nonmedical%20use%20of%20prescription%20pain%20relievers%20costs%20health%20insurers%20up,in%20direct%20health%20care%20costs.<br>

Physical dependence vs. addiction 15 1. Kosten, T. R., & George, T. P. (2002). The Neurobiology of Opioid Dependence: Implications for Treatment. Science & Practice Perspectives, 1(1), 13–20. Addiction is a chronic, progressive brain disease due to altered brain structure and function<br>

Treatment options Counseling & Behavioral Therapies
Individual and group counseling
Inpatient and residential treatment
Intensive outpatient treatment
Case or care management
Recovery support services
12-step fellowship
Peer supports 16 Best treatment option is PREVENTION! Medication Assisted Treatment
Buprenorphine
Methadone
Naltrexone 1. "Treatment for Substance Abuse Disorders." SAMHSA. N.p., 8 Sept. 2016. Web. 26 Jan. 2017. Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/substance-use-disorders<br>

Take Home Points Prescription opioids is just as dangerous as illicit drugs when not taken as directed

Prescription opioid abuse is strongly linked to heroin abuse

Opioid addiction is a disease which requires treatment

The best treatment for opioid addiction is prevention 17<br>

Available resources National 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

New Jersey Addiction Services 24/7 Hotline: 1-844-276-2777

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 1-800-662-4357
https://www.samhsa.gov 18<br>

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